DawnSignPress
Provides Handy Pamphlet with 100 Signs for Emergencies
SAN
DIEGO, Calif., September 5, 2018 - In honor of National Preparedness Month, media
and publishing house DawnSignPress offers free samples of their American Sign Language
(ASL) publication 100 Signs for
Emergencies to every Emergency Service Unit in the country through
September.
Recognizing
the need for basic communication tools, DawnSignPress created a pocket-sized
pamphlet of 100 signs that can be used in emergencies. “Past misunderstandings, some leading to tragedies, could be avoided if we
learn more about each other,” DawnSignPress owner Joe Dannis said. “100
Signs for Emergencies helps first responders communicate basic concepts in ASL."
This clearly illustrated pamphlet lists
common signs for emergencies, such as transportation (ambulance, car,
motorcycle), injuries (accident, blood, identification), people (baby, doctor,
interpreter), environment (earthquake, snow), questions (what, when, who), and
feelings (dizzy, hurt, sick). Also included are the fingerspelled alphabet and
numbers up to 10. For those who don’t know ASL this pamphlet offers basic signs
that are helpful in the short term and can even be life-saving.
An
incident more than 30 years ago taught Joe Dannis a hard lesson about the need
for accessible communication in emergencies.
“I
was pulled over for speeding, late at night, at a closed gas station,” said Dannis,
who is Deaf. “The police officer wore a motorcycle helmet, so I couldn’t lipread
or understand him. I asked him to take it off, but he kept talking.” Dannis
walked toward his car to retrieve his hearing aids.
“The
officer grabbed me from behind, and slammed me onto the hood,” Dannis said. “I
was caught off-guard, and had no idea what he was saying behind my back.” Dannis
was handcuffed and sent to jail. Dannis isn’t alone in his experience.
Around
the nation, lack of awareness and accessibility is a reality for the roughly 34
million Americans who are deaf or hard of hearing. To be fair, accessible communication
isn’t always possible in emergencies, where first responders’ priority is
safety. For most deaf or hard of hearing individuals, the priority is communication
— what’s being said, and what’s going to happen.
Attempts
at remedying this intersection of differing priorities, such as bringing in
sign language interpreters or using paper and pen, are not always possible. What
if a car hits a guardrail and erupts into fire with deaf people trapped inside?
Or a deaf person has a stroke and can’t write? Let’s not forget the stress of
urgency: most first responders don’t have the time for written conversations
with victims or bystanders. Communication
isn’t always in place when lives need saving.
“The
feelings of helplessness I had in 1985 are something no one should experience,”
Dannis said. “Since then, I’ve committed to ensuring that police, fire, and
other first responders are aware of how they can alleviate concerns in times of
crisis.”
DawnSignPress is offering a free
pamphlet to every Emergency Service Unit making the request during the month of
September while supplies last. Send your email request to contactus@dawnsign.com, or call 858 625 0600 to request your copy. Use “Helps with Signs” in the
subject line.
About DawnSignPress: DawnSignPress
is a media and publishing house that develops, produces, publishes and
distributes quality American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture-related
materials.
More
information is available at www.dawnsign.com.